Millions of children today suffer from obesity in the United States. It is not an epidemic caused by a virus or bacteria. There is no vaccine or medicine that can cure it. But it’s a serious health problem that, on average, costs families thousands of dollars in additional medical expenses each year. That’s not talking about shorter life expectancy, heart disease, diabetes, and other ailments directly related to obesity. This is an epidemic caused solely by a huge change in our diet and lifestyle in the last century. Our bad diets have been accompanied by an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. This is something that is not out of your control. There are family activities that can help reverse childhood obesity. What is needed is the determination and commitment to act.
Our bodies are well-adapted movement machines. We were designed to be on the move. Before the age of computer video games, children were more active in their games. It is true that television time had to be limited, but this was not as big of a problem as we see today. The habits learned by children will be with them well into adulthood.
• The activity does not have to be spending time in a gym lifting weights or jogging on a treadmill. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it’s just hard to convince your child that this is fun. If you want your child to start burning those calories, exercise time shouldn’t be turned into a chore, it should be fun. In fact, stay away from the word exercise.
• Try different things and see what your child likes. Play a game of tag or hide-and-seek. Go to the playground and climb the monkey bars. Take a bike ride or walk through nature. Involve your child in activities that interest him because he will be more motivated to participate.
• When possible, try to take the activity outdoors. This will not only get you away from your TV or computer, but it will also give you the sunlight and vitamin D you need. Make outdoor activity something your child looks forward to and enjoys.
• When starting an exercise program, don’t overdo it. Give it a try for a short period of time and see how it goes. Continue to gradually extend the time. Don’t do this instead of video games, but in addition to them. You want your child to want to have fun by being active, not something that is imposed on him and looks like a chore. You want to turn this active playtime into a regular activity.
• Water activities are great in summer or in hot climates. Swimming, water polo, relay or water balloon games are fun. Take a family outing to the pool, lake, or beach. Teaching your child to swim at a young age will not only help them stay fit, but it will also help prevent accidental drowning accidents.
• Organize a scavenger hunt or scavenger hunt involving other neighborhood kids. Having playtime with other children will also help your child develop important social skills, as well as shed those unwanted pounds.
• Group sports activities are good, but they are not the only type of organized activity for your child. Perhaps your child is interested in dance or ice skating. Give your son a chance to see if he likes her. Show your support for whatever your child chooses.
You can win the battle against obesity in your child. It will require a commitment on your part, but the rewards will be manifold. Your child will not only develop a healthy lifestyle, but also have fun doing it.